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HOLISTIC DENTISTS
SUNRISE REVIEW
FINAL REPORT
1995
iIr, \ \J
~r
~--------------------
COMMITTEE OF REFERENCE
REPORT ON THE SUNRISE HEARING FOR THE
REGULATION OF HOLISTIC DENTISTS
DATE: November 15. 1995
TO: THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Senator Patti Noland. Chair
Representative Sue Grace. Chair
Pursuant to Title 32. Chapter 31. Arizona Revised Statues. the Committee of Reference.
after performing a sunrise review and conducting a public hearing. recommend the following:
A separate re~ulatorv board for the holistic dentists not be created.
COMMITTEE OF REFERENCE
R~rr~s~ntJ1J\~ I.ou-:\nn Pr~hk
.~_A~ r ~ ~ ~ --r ~~~
, ...........--' ~
R.~rr~s~ntJtJ\~ I krsch~lb I lorton
-{'(. { ( developing the same kind of disease found in the person from
whom the tooth was taken. Dr. Price found that toxins seeping out of root
canals can cause systemic diseases of the heart. kidney, uterus. and
nervous and endocrine systems. I
Michael liff. 0.0.5, of Orlando, Florida. points out that research has
demonstrated that 100 percent of all root canals result in residual
pr,··~~i:Pe~t~th ....
re:-" , . Prostate Gonads
Oxygen-lacking environment of a root canal II., - .
can cause the bacteria to undergo changes, r:; KlUB. KlUB
adds Dr. Huggins, producing potent toxins that ~.
can then leak out into the body. Nutrient ;"
materials are also able to seep into the root
canal through the porous channels in the tooth,
allowing this bacteria growth to flourish. ..
susceptibility to these types of reactions is
usually genetic, but stresses to the system
(abuse of alcohoL drugs, caffeine) can induce
them in normal individuals. Pregnancy and
influenza also increase susceptibility to
leakage of toxins from root canals, according
to Dr. Huggins.
He adds that when a tooth with a root f>
canal is removed, the periodontal ligament that HIS
attaches the tooth to the underlying bone
should also be removed, otherwise a pocket of
infection can remain. Full removal of the tooth LlLI
and ligament stimulates the old bone to
produce new bone for healing.
According to Dr, Ziff. however. there are
cases where root canal teeth should not be ~
pulled. It can be difficult to chew without "~
certain teeth intact, and problems can arise if
the teeth surrounding the extracted one
become misaligned. "The best approach is a
conservative one,'- says Dr. Ziff. "Try other measures first
remove the tooth as a last resort,"
Toxicity from Dental Restoration l\laterials
" Research has demon­strated
that 100 percent of
all root canals result in
residual i/~fecti()n due to the
impe/fect seal that alloH's
bacteria to penetrate, "
..~..:
c...
"Dental amalgam fillings can release mercury. tin. copper. silver. and
sometimes zinc into the body," says Dr. Arana. All of the"e metal-. ha\e
various degrees of toxicity and when placed as filling" In the teeth c:.tn
corrode or disa"sociate into metallic ions (char£ed atoms). The"e metallic
ions can then mi£rate from the tooth Into the r~ot of the tooth. the mouth.
~e bone. the co;nective tissues of the Jaw, and finally on
Into the nerves. From there they can travel into the central
nervous system, where the ions will reside, permanently
disrupting the body's normal functioning if nothing is done
to remove them.
. Other types of metal-based dental restorations can
Similarly release toxic metals into the body. Accordin£ to
David E. Eggleston. D.D.S .. of the Department of
Restorative Dentistrv at the Universitv of Southern
C.alifornia in Los Ang~les, a patient unde;going dental work developed
kidney disease due to nickel toxicity from the dental crowns that were
: '~'J
.~.~vfj
~ ..',:.;.~~:-.~
t:,...:~ ~~
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'1,- >l,
being placed in the patient's mouth. As each successive crown was placed,
the disease intensified, verified by blood and urine tests, and physical
examination. Once the nickel crowns were removed, the patient gradually
became symptom free.3
Theron Randolph, M.D., of Batavia, Illinois, founder of the field of
environmental medicine, believes that both the medical and dental
professions have become too lax in dealing with the scope and potential
danger of toxic metals. "Although it is not clear whether dental amalgams
and other metals used in dental work are the primary or secondary cause
of many health problems," he says, "both doctors and dentists have to be
concerned with evaluating the clinical
...:~,;' implications of using toxic metals in the
human body." Dr. Randolph believes part of
the problem stems from American dental
schools ignoring the mounting evidence on
toxicity from dental restorations, especially
amalgams, despite clear documentation shown
in European studies.
In September. 1992, California governor
Pete Wilson requested that the State Board of
Dental Examiners develop a fact sheet on
dental materials to be distributed to dentists.
California is the first state to pass such
legislation. notes Joyal Taylor. D.D.S., of
Rancho Santa Fe. California. President of the
Environmental Dental Association. He hopes
this will pave the way for a total ban on the use
of mercury in dental restorations. adding that
two to three thousand dentists across the
. country are no"" calling for such a ban on
mercury dental amalgams.
1\lercury Dental Amalgams: While all
metals used for dental restoratIon can be toxic,
the most harmful are the mercury dental
amalgams (silver/men.:ury) used for fillings.
AccordIng to Dr Ta:- lor. "These so-called
'stlver fillings' actually contain 50 percent
mercury and only 25 percent silver."
Mercury has heen recognized as a poison
since the 1500s. and yet mercury amalgams
have been used In dentistry since the 1820s. They are still being used
toda:- even though the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared
s.:rap dental amalgam a hazardous waste in ! 988. Even the American
Dental Association. which has so far refused to ban amalgams, now
Instructs dentists to "know the potentIal hazards and symptoms of
mercury exposure such as the development of sensitivity and neuropathy,"
to use a no-touch technique for handling the amalgam. and to store it
under liquid. preferably glycerin or radiographic fixer solution, in
unbreakable. tightly sealed containers.~
D/(/I;ram (I( (/ heollh\
1(I(llh
pg.84
ALTERNATIVE THERjlPIES
"
-:'
"
"
''""'
-Richard D. Fischer, D.D.S.
(, I don't feel comfortable
using a substance designated
by the Environmental
Protection Agency to be a
waste disposal hazard. I can't
throw it in the trash, bury it
in the ground, or put it in a
landfill, but they say it 5 okay
to put it in people's mouths.
That doesn't make sense. ,,;
ISIUIiUtila.SII ....... -.-... ·.·n.
For some dentists, such as Richard D. Fischer, D.D.S., of Annandale,
Virginia, these measures are not enough. Since becoming aware of the
health risk amalgams pose, he has refused to work with them and has had
his own silver fillings removed. "I don't feel comfortable using a sub­stance
designated by the EPA to be a waste disposal hazard," he says. "I
can't throw it in the trash, bury it in the ground, or put it in a landfill, but
they say it's okay to put it in people's mouths. That doesn't make sense."
According to the German Ministry of Health, "Amalgam is
considered a health risk from a medical viewpoint due to the release of
mercury vapor."5 Everyday activities such as chewing and brushing the
teeth have been shown to release mercury vapors from amalgams.6
Amalgams can also erode and corrode with time (ideally they should be
replaced after seven to ten years), adding to their toxic output.
Studies by the World Health Organization show that a single amalgam
can release three to seventeen micrograms of mercury per day,7 making
dental amalgam a major source of mercury exposure.8 A Danish study of a
random sample of one hundred men and one hundred women showed that
increased blood mercury levels were related to the presence of more than
four amalgam fillings in the teeth. 9 American, Swedish, and German
scientists examining cadavers have also found a clear relationship between
the number of fillings and the mercury count in the brain and kidneys.1O
In Germany the sale and manufacture of amalgams has been
prohibited since March 1992,11 and in Sweden, after a special commission
determined that amalgam was a toxic material, that country's Social
Welfare and Health Administration issued an advisory against its use in
the dental treatments of pregnant women. Furthermore,
Sweden has promised to ban amalgams entirely as soon as
a suitable replacement is found. l : Until then the
government pays 50 percent of the cost for removal of
amalgams. In the United States, however, little is being
done to deal with the effects of mercury amalgams because
most dentists still maintain that they are safe. They
continue to place mercury in their patients' mouths even
though the metal is more toxic than arsenic. IJ
The problem is so widespread that Dr. Taylor now
devotes his entire practice to the removal of amalgams.
'There have been no studies [in the United States] on the
safety of mercury in dental work. but when it leaks from
the teeth it can t:;use both physical and mental problems."
he states. 14 Dr. Arana adds that "numbness and tingling.
paralysis, tremors. and pain are just some of the symptoms of chronic
metal intoxication associated with the use of mercury dental amalgams."
Though the ideal replacement for mercury amalgams has not yet
been found. there are some less toxic alternatives that biological dentists
are working with. The best one so far is the so-called "composite
amalgam." which is a combination of metals that are less toxic than
mercury and slower to break down.
Dr. Huggins recommends that people who choose to have their
amalgams removed ask their dentists to use a rubber dam, a thin sheet of
',.
~.
-..:.
" Although it is not clear
vvhether dental amalgams
and other metals used in
dental H,'ork are the
primary or secondary
cause of man.v health
problems, both doctors and
dentists have to be
concerned with evaluating
the clinical implications of
using toxic metals in the
human body. "
rubber that slips over the teeth. "Dams prevent over 95 percent of the
mixture of mercury and water produced by the drilling out of old fillings
from going down your throat," he says. "They also reduce the amount of
mercury that you might absorb from your cheeks and under your tongue."
Dr. Huggins also suggests that people consider early morning
appointments for amalgam removal, rather than later in the day, because
the mercury vapor from other patients' sessions can linger in the air for
hours and be absorbed by breathing. Some dentists use mercury vapor
filter systems, he points out, but those who do are rare.
Charles Gableman, M.D., of Encinitas, California, a leader in the
field of environmental medicine, always advises the removal of his
patients' amalgam fillings. According to Dr. Gableman. patients with
chronic fatigue syndrome, or with a lack of resistance to infections,
allergies, and thyroid dysfunction, all improve after their fillings are
properly removed. He believes it is possible that these patients have
suffered from basic allergies their entire lives, and that the mercury
toxicity from the fillings simply adds to the body's toxic load and "pushes
them over the edge," resulting in chronic medical
problems.
Extensive clinical evidence based on patient case
histories attests to the effects of mercury amalgam toxicity.
Dr. Taylor cites an example of a woman who came to him
suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. After having her
amalgam fillings removed. she not only had relief from her
arthritis. but her allergies abated to a large extent.
Another patient of Dr. Taylor was suffering from
numerous symptoms of environmental illness. She
exhibited multiple sclerosis-type symptoms, could only
tolerate four or five foods. and developed sensitivities to
chemicals. noise, light. and electromagnetic radiation. She
also had jaundice and had been diagnosed with candida
overgrowth. After having her amalgam fillings removed.
she found that she was able to eat many different foods
- Theron Randolph. MD
agaIn. enabling her to put back on the sixty pounds she
lost. Her sensitivities to noise. light. and electromagnetic radiation also
diminished and her candida and jaundice cleared up.
A woman in Palm Beach. Florida. for years endured fatigue.
mononucleosis (for which she was hospitalized at age sixteen). bladder
infections. and. eventually, Epstein-Barr virus. candida. food allergies.
and muscle spasms. Finally. her own investigation led her to consider the
possibility of mercury poisoning and consult with Dr. Huggins. He found
a tooth with a root canal that had been filled with dental amalgam. Once
the amalgam was removed. her symptoms abated.
Bio-incompatibility to Dental Restoration Materials
In the same way that some people have adverse reactions to
prescription drugs. some people also react negatively to specific dental
materials. A person can already have been sensitized to dental restoration
materials through previous exposure from the environment and foods.
~I
,-
pg.86
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES
')
~
\.,
'f"t{
.'
89
84
80
54
93
87
88
91
86
76
73
82
95
% of Cure
or
Improvement
80
70
53
68
69
86
196
315
301
104
247
603
Number
Improved
or Cured
86
88
81
79
99
221
113
126
705
343
347
265
260
Allergy
Bad temper
Blood pressure problems
Depression
Bloating
Dizziness
Anxiety
Chest pains
Fatigue
Memo!") loss
Multiple sclerosis
Muscle tremor
Metallic taste
17
17
7
8
~ 22
f 45
[ 5
r 6
I' 5
I 6
~lected Health Symptom Analysis of 1,569 Patients Who
Eliminated Mercury-Containing Dental FillingslS
TIl following represents a summary of1.569 patients in six different studies evaluating
h ehealth effects of replacing mercury-containing dental fillings with non-mercury
~/~ings. The data was derivedfrom thefol/owing sourc~s: 762 Patient Adverse Reaction
Reports submitted to the FDA by patients; and 807 patients reports from Sweden.
IDenmark. Canada. and the United States.
1% of
!Total Num~er
Reporting Symptom Reportmg
~
1 14
r 22
This bio-incompatibility. or incompatibility of the body. to the dental
material can lead to severe allergic reactions including food allergies, and
can contribute to chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis and
headaches, and can cause intractable pain syndrome. However. dentists
often don't test for sensitivity to dental restoration materials before
placing them in their patients' ~ouths.
The most common reactions are found to be produced by the
mercury amalgams used for fillings, and by the various metal components
that make them up. including mercury, copper. tin. zinc, and silver. 16
According to Dr. Arana, some of the symptoms caused specifically by
amalgam fillings are:
• Chronic fatigue syndrome and lack of energy
• Tendency to chronic inflammatory changes (including rheumatoid
arthritis. phlebitis. and fibromyalgia)
• Chronic neurologJCal illnesses, especially when numbness is one of
the leading symptoms
• Lowering of the pain threshold
• Disturbances of the Immune system
Patients can be screened for se~sitivity by a simple blood test, known
as the Clifford Materials Reactivity Testing, after its developer, Walter
5
15 Intestinal problems 231 192 83 I
8 Gum problems 129 121 94
34 Headaches 531 460 87
12 Insomnia 187 146 78
10 Irregular heartbeat 159 139 87
8 Irritability 132 119 90
I 17 Lack of concentration 270 216 80
6 Lack of energy 91 88 97
[ 1
.'.
......
'.-;,; .
,..
Jess Clifford, M.S., R.M., of Colorado Springs, Colorado. In this test, the
patient's serum is exposed to the various components and by-products of
dental materials to see if they provoke an immune reaction (antibody
production). This makes it possible to determine
which materials the body will be sensitive to.
This information is then matched through a
computer database to various dental
products, enabling the dentist or physician to
select which products are safe for each_
patient. "By using this form of testing,"
Clifford says, "it is possible to check the
patient for an enormous number of dental
product suitabilities without having to
examine the finished dental product. One
only needs to know what the dental
restorative material contains and what it will
give off when it breaks down." Bio­incompatible
and toxic materials already in
the mouth can then be replaced with those
materials that have proven to be nonreactive.
Applied kinesiology can also be used to test
all materials and anesthetics before using
them on patients.
After any dental material is removed,
Dr. Huggins always recommends a thorough
detoxification. According to Dr. Huggins,
simply removing the fillings is not enough
to rid the body of the toxic materials that
may have built up over time, and may
continue to cause allergic reactions. He
places his patients on a detoxification
regimen which can include nutritional
support. acupressure. and massage
treatments. Chelating: agents. such as EDTA
(ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and
vitamin C. can be used intravenously or in
tablet form as well. He cautions that any
detoxification therapy should only be
administered under the supervision of a
qualified health professional.
Electrogalvanism
Due to its mineral content, the saliva in
the mouth is electrically conductive. As a
result. when saliva in a person's mouth
Interacts with a dental r~storation containing metal. a battery is created,
causing an effect known as electrogalvanism. "Electrogalvanism is
literally the electricity generated by a person's fillings." says Dr. Arana".
"The saliva acts as a conductant and the dissimilar metal fillings then try
MERCURY POISONING
Because mercury is a cumulative poison,
building up in the body with repeated
exposure,17 its effects can be devastating. It
can prevent nutrients from entering the cells,
and wastes from leaving. Mercury can bind to
the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of cells, as
well as to the cell membranes, distorting them
and interfering with normal cell functions. 18
When this happens, the immune system no
longer recognizes the cell as part of the body
and will attack it This can be the basis of many
autoimmune dIseases such as multiple sclerosis
and arthritis.
Mercury poisoning can also lead to
symptoms such as anxiety, depression,
confusion, irritability, insecurity, and the inability
to concentrate. It can cause kidney disease and
cardiac and respiratory dIsorders Multiple
sclerosis patients have been found to have
eight tImes higher levels of mercury In their
cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that surrounds the
braIn and spinal cord) as compared to
neurologically healthy palients 19
Mercury poisoning often goes undetected for
years because the symptoms presented do not
necessarily suggest the mercury as the inItiating
cause For example, It IS capable of producing
symptoms IndIstingUishable from those of
multiple scleroslS,20 and can mimiC the
symptoms of Lou Gehng's disease (a syndrome
marked by muscular weakness and atrophy due
to degeneration of motor neurons of the spinal
cord, medulla, and cortex)
Mercury can also produce allergiC reactIOns
With symptoms such as urtlcana (an Itcny rash),
eczema, headaches, asthma, and digestive
problems The Environmental ProtectJon Agency
srares that women chrOnically exposed ro
mercury vapor expenence Increased frequen­cies
of mensrrual disturbances and spon­raneous
abortions. A high mortaltty rate has also
been observed among Infants born to women
who displayed symptoms of mercury pOlsonmg21
~I
pg.88
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES
,. (" Electrogalvanism is
frequently the cause oflack
ofconcen.tration .and
memory, lnsomnla,
psychological problems,
tinnitus, vertigo, epilepsy,
hearing loss, and eye
problems, to name but a
few. "
-Edward Arana. D.D.S .. President of the
American Academy of Biological Dentistry
.' ,"
t:'-·-.
to neutralize each other to balance out the electrical charge. This has the
ffect of causing toxic material from the fillings to erode, like the
~erminals of a battery, and leak out into the body." Dr. Arana points out
that even two similar-looking amalgam fillings, if they were not placed on
the same day, are likely to be of different compositions and therefore
generate an electrical current between them. Even gold fillings or crowns
are usually put over old fillings of a different metal, so electrogalvanism
can even occur within a single tooth.
Since the teeth, the mouth, and the bone root all contain fluid, there
are a variety of combinations that can determine where this
electrical current flows. "It can go from a tooth to a
muscle, tooth to a joint, tooth to an organ, and even a tooth
to part of the brain, to the point where it can change the
permeability of the blood-brain barrier," Dr. Arana states.
"Electrogalvanism is frequently the cause of lack of
concentration and memory, insomnia, psychological
problems, tinnitus, vertigo, epilepsy, hearing loss, and eye
problems, to name but a few," says Dr. Arana. "Since high
dental currents lead to erosion of the restoration materials,
this problem rarely exists without coexisting problems of
heavy metal toxicity, which can act synergistically with
multiple chemical sensitivities to cause environmental
illness. "
Electrogalvanism can be identified by an instrument
known as an electrogal vanometer. which measures the electrical current
and voltage generated by the dental amalgam in a tooth. Applied
kinesiology can also be used to test for electrogalvanism between the
upper and lower teeth. If the indicator muscle becomes weak when the
patient gently touches the upper teeth to the lower teeth, then metal
fillings from the top are forming a circuit with metal fillings on the
bottom. Since high dental currents create neurological stress on the
organism. the muscle becomes weak as soon as one metal touches another.
Likewise. when the teeth are apart. and the Circuit is broken. the indicator
muscle will become strong again.
"We suspect that the reason why many dental splints. even bad ones.
often improve a patient's TMJ dysfunction problem is that these splints
~e made out of plastic and work like a circuit-breaker whenever they are
m place." notes Dr. Arana. "The TMJ dysfunction problems that improve
~ really not TMJ dysfunction problems. but problems created by the
high dental currents."
Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
TMJ dysfunction is caused by the mal alignment of the teeth. jaws.
~d r:nuscles. The symptoms of TMJ dysfunction vary. and include pain.
chckmg. or grating sounds when the mouth opens. and difficulty opening
the mouth very wide.
TMJ dysfunction can occur for three reasons. First. the patient loses
~th. throug~ decay or trauma. or looses height of some teeth through
ruxlsm (gnndIng) or age. Second. there are iatrogenic (treatment-
Sa Chiropractic,
CranIOsacral Therapy.
Osteopathy.
.;
The
[cmp( ITfllllllndllJ/l/ar
}Ol!ll
; .
.,.~
induced) problems such as dental restorations that make the teeth either
too high or too low. The third cause can be developmental problems. "In
the last two hundred years, developmental abnormalities of the upper
and/or lower jaw have become very common. This has been shown to be
directly linked to the intake of processed foods, especially sugar and
flour," says Dr. Price.Z2
Bec~use chewing is the primary mechanism necessary for supplying
nutrients to the body, if the jaws or teeth are out of alignment, the entire
cranium will distort in order to
...-..; ',-'~..:-..~ :-.,,'t.--'--.-.~ .... "'_".~" '._, chew properly. T.he structural
~:;;:~ • ~::,;',""'':-1':.~,,. Other dentists also use
craniosacral therap~ or cold laser therap~ to help correct TMJ syndrome.
Biological Treatment of Dental Problems
Blol()~lcal dentists treat dental problems In a variety of ways. They
emphaSize the conservation of all healthy tooth matenal and employ the
latest techniques of bioenergetic medicine. Including neural therapy. oral
acupuncture. cold laser therapy. complex homeopathy. mouth balancing. .
and nutntion.
Neural Therapy
According to neural therapy. the body is charged with electricity or
biolo~lcal energy. This energy flows throughout the body. with every cell
~I ...
p~.90
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES
See Neural Therapy.
BIOLOGICAL DENTISTRY -'rf
ssessino its own specified frequency range. As long as this energy flow
pounimp;ded and stays within its normal range, the body will remain
~ealthY. However, if this balance breaks down, disrupt.ions in the t~e
normal function of cells can occur, eventually leadIng to chronIc
disorders. ., . . ., .
When injury, mflammatIon, or mfectlOn IS present In the mouth,
there is usually a corresponding blockage in the body's normal energy
flow. "Neural therapy allows the dentist to confirm if the problem in the
tooth is causing illness elsewhere in the body," says Dr. Arana. The
problem may lie in the tooth itself. or in a distant organ on the same
energy meridian as the tooth.
Injection of a local anesthetic such as procaine around the tooth to
remove the energy blockage will often resolve the problem. Dr. Adler
cites the example of a sports instructor suffering from "tennis elbow."
When Dr. Adler injected the man's two upper right premolars with
procaine, the instructor received immediate relief from his pain.
Dr. Arana conservatively estimates that one hundred dentists in the
United States currently practice neural therapy. However. he adds, there
are over four thousand dentists worldwide practicing neural therapy,
including two to three thousand in Germany where it was developed.
Oral Acupuncture
Oral acupuncture, according to Jochen Gleditsch, MD., D.D.S., of
Munich. Germany. has been taught to dentists since 1976. and its use is
expanding rapidly. It involves the injection of either saline water. weak
local anesthetics. or sterile complex homeopathics into specific
acupuncture points of the oral mucous membrane. It can also be combined
with neural therapy.
Both Dr. Arana and Dr. Ravins use oral acupuncture to relieve pain
during dental procedures with great success. Some dentists also use it to
relax patients before any dental procedure. Toothache. tooth sensitivities,
jaw pain, gingivitis. and other local problems often respond to oral
acupuncture.
Dr. Gleditsch discovered that there are specific oral acupuncture
points related to each tooth. "The total of these oral acupuncture points
forms a complete mlcrosystem:' he explains. "with a clear reference to
the system of acupuncture meridians." When a particular acupuncture
meridian is under stress. the corresponding oral acupuncture point(s)
become very sensltiye to localized pressure. This phenomenon can be
used for both dIagnostic and treatment purposes. according to Dr.
~Iedi.tsch. He commonly uses acupoints in the mouth to treat neuralgia.
SInus.His. pain in distant parts of the body. acute. chronic. and allergic
conditIons. and digestive disorders. The oral acupuncture points in the
~tromolar area (the area behind the last molar in the upper and bottom
Jaw) are most valuable in treating shoulder and elbow complaints, pain
and restricted movement of the neck. low back pain. and TMJ. Since
needle acupuncture is impractical within the oral cavity due to the danger
~f cho.kIng. Dr. Gleditsch uses injections of saline or local anesthetic into
the POints. Laser stimulation can also be used.
See Light Therapy.
Cold Laser Therapy
Cold laser therapy is an alternative form of acupuncture that is
especially useful for treating patients who object to the use of needles.
The "cold laser" gets its name from the fact that its power output and the
light spectrum it uses are incapable of causing any thennal damage to the
body's tissues. This therapy kills bacteria, aids in wound healing, reduces
inflammation, and helps to rebalance the flow of energy in the body's
meridian system. It has also been used to treat TMJ dysfunction13 and to
promote healing and reduce muscle spasm after removal of impacted
wisdom teeth, according to Dr. Ravins.
Homeopathy in Biological Dentistry
According to Dr. Fischer, "Homeopathic first aid remedies can help
alleviate the pain or discomfort of dental emergencies, at least
temporarily, until proper dental care can be received. They are not
intended to replace regular dental care, but rather to serve as a safe and
effective complement."
Abscesses can be treated with homeopathic dilutions of Belladonna.
Hepar sulph .. Silicea. Myristica. and Calendula. Gelsemium. Aconite,
Coffea cruda, and Chamomilla can be used to allay the apprehension of a
visit to the dentist. Postsurgical bleeding is treated with Phosphorous, and
if accompanied by bruising and soreness, with Arnica. Chamomilla is good
for a dry socket after an extraction. A toothache can be treated with
Belladonna. Magnesium phos .. Coffea cruda. or Chamomilla.
Mouth Balancing
Dr. Ravins specializes in "balancing" the mouth to improve a wide
range of health problems, including TMJ dysfunction. He believes that
structural defonnities of the skull influence the entire body. "With the new
computerized technology, I can diagnose muscle dysfunction and pick up
vibrations from the jaw and movement of the mandible." he says. Often
the misalignment has been caused by a prior accident. By analyzing this
data and making special orthopedic braces to be worn in the mouth, Dr.
Ravins can realign the jaw and remove pain and other symptoms such as
headaches. shoulder pain, and back problems.
Many patients who come to Dr. Ravins complain of eye problems
such as blurred vision (often occurring after eatmg). and pressure and pain
behind the eyes. Since the bones around the eyes are close to those of the
jaw, a misaligned jaw can easily put pressure on them, resulting in
pressure on the eyes themselves. Stress in the mouth can also affect the
nerves and blood supply to the eyes. and infections in the mouth can cause
muscle spasms which will affect the eyes. According to Dr. Ravins. once
any misalignments in the mouth are corrected with orthopedic braces, the
eye problems usually dissipate. The problems often return though. when
the appliances are removed. While eye problems should always be
checked by an eye doctor first, if the problem is not uncovered by an eye
examination. a biological dentist may be able to help.
~I
pg.92
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES
pg,93
THE POliTICS OF DENTISTRY
Although many new techniques of biological
dentistry are available, only two to three
thousand dentists across the United States are
using them in practice. This is due to a
deliberate effort by the American Dental
Association (ADA) to suppress such practices,
even to the point of rescinding the licenses of
practitioners using them. Electroacupuncture
biofeedback testing by dentists is not allowed in
some states, and dentists may lose their license
for using it, despite its proven effectiveness for
screening hidden infections under teeth. For
this reason most dentists are forced to use other
methods for detecting hidden infections and
other dental problems. Dental acupuncture is
also banned in some states.
In 1987, the ADA wrote a provision into their
code to declare the removal of clinically
serviceable mercury amalgams from patients'
teeth to be unethical, according to Michael Ziff,
D.D.S., of Orlando, Florida. Any dentist doing so
is in violation of the code, and the ADA is
assisting state boards in prosecuting these
dentists, despite all the evidence of the toxicity
of mercury
The financial and legal implications of an
admission by the ADA that mercury IS tOXIC and
harmful to health may be a possible motive
behind this move If the ADA was to admit that
mercury amalgams are tOXIC health hazards,
insurance companies or the government would
possibly have to toot the bill for the removal of
mercury amalgams from practically the entire
populatIOn of the United States
Despite this ominous situatIOn, the growing
number of research studies on biological dental
techniques the Information coming out of
Europe and Canada on mercury tOXIClty,24 and
increasing publiC awareness of some of the
dangers of tradllional dental practice are
combining to burld support for the small band of
dentists nSktng their Itvellhood to practice safe
dentistry tn the United States
Nutrition
Dr. Huggins, like many other biological
dentists, makes nutritional supplementation part
of his overall protocol for dealing with dental
conditions, especially for the patient recovering
from mercury amalgam toxicity. '"There is a
standard regimen we use to help correct basic
chemistry problems," he says. '"From there, we
might use additional supplementation based on
wh.a t the pat ie nt's chem i s try die tat e s ."
According to Dr. Huggins, the basic supple­mentation
program aids in the excretion of
mercury from the cells, prevents the exacer­bation
of further symptoms, and provides the
patient with a nutrient base for rebuilding
damaged tissues.
Among the nutrients Dr. Huggins uses are
magnesium, selenium, vitamin C, vitamin E,
and folic acid, along with digestive enzymes.
He cautions, however, that the nutrients need to
be used in specific ratios, and that
supplementation done without proper
consultation can actually create further
imbalances in the patient's system.
A proper diet is also important for patients
suffering from mercury toxicity. Dr. Huggins
recommends the avoidance of cigarettes, sugar.
alcohoL caffeine, chocolate, soft drinks, refined
carbohydrates, milk. cheese, margarine, fish,
and excess liquids with meals.
The Future of Biological
Dentistry
Mercury and other dental materials
Contribute to much of the degenerative diseases
for which patients seek medical help today.
Traditional dentistrY and medicine have not vet
recognized thIs gr~wing danger. but bIOlogical
dentistry is confronting it head-on. Using all the
k~owledge and skills of conventional dental medicine along with the
dIsCIplInes of alternative, holistic health therapies, biological dentists are
stnVIng to provide individuals with biocompatible, aesthetic, comfortable.
functIonal, and enduring dental and prosthetic replacements. While much
research has alreadv been done on mercury toxicity from dental
amalgams, and on the creation of safe. nontoxic den'tal restoration
~~erial alternatives. much more still needs to be done. especially in the
nned States. Dr. Randolph believes that medicine and dentistry must
, .
FLUORIDATION
Fluoride is commonplace today in
toothpastes, mouthwashes, and drinking
water. In the United States alone, over
121 million people are now drinking
artificially fluoridated water. Many experts
would argue that it poses a serious health
risk. Fluoride is a known poison and has
been classified as very toxic to extremely
toxic by the National Library of
Medicine's computenzed data service on
toxic substances. Numerous studies have
demonstrated that fluorides are largely
retained in the body and build up
poisonous concentrations there. 25
Drs. R. N. Mukherjee and F. H. Sobels
of the University of Leiden in Holland
found that fluoride increases the
frequency of genetic damage in sperm
cells of laboratory amma/s exposed to x­rays
and inhibits the repair of DNA.26
Fluoride was first introduced into the
public water systems In the United States
in 1945 through an expenment, which
grew out of research done by H. Trendley
Dean, DOS. (the "father of fluoridation")
for the Public Health Services. Or. Dean
was trying to determine the reason some
people had higher than normal levels of
staining of their teem His finding cited
fluonde as the cause of the stamlng. but
also credited fluonde as the reason these
same people had fewer cavltles27
In 1950. the PubliC Health System
recommended uSing artdlclal fluondatlon
In the publiC water systems to fight tooth
decay. Since the time fluoride entered the
water system in the United States, there
have been many health-related problems
while at the same time, no statistically
significant reduction in tooth decay. Or.
Dean himself has twice been forced to
admit in court that· his original statistics
favoring fluoridation were in valid. 28 .
Christa Danielson, MO., found an
increased risk of hip fracture in men and
women over age Sixty-five who had been
exposed to fluoride in their drinking water
for about twenty years. At least 10
percent of fluoride in adults is deposited
in bones. and studies have shown a
positive correlation between higher
fluoride intake and decreased bone mass
and strength. 29
In 1975. John Yiamouyiannis, MO..
and Dean Burk. MO., compared ten
large US. cities that fluoridated their
water with ten cities that did not. They
discovered a link between fluoride and a
10 percent increase in cancer deaths
over a thirteen to seventeen-year period.
As a result of these studies. tests were
ordered by Congress that confirmed
fluonde added to water causes cancer in
laboratory anima's 30
In spite of all the research and finding.
fluoride is still commonplace In the United
States today. It has. however. been
banned in Austna. Denmark, France.
Greece. Italy. Luxembourg. the Nether­lands.
Norway. and Spain
~I
come tog\?thcr to solve the mercury problem and make dentistry a health­enhanCing
\?ndea\or that elIminates. instead of promotes. disease. "In the
futUf\?:' say" Dr. Ziff. "1 foresee bonding materials hecoming much more
blocompallhlc. along with new techniques being developed that will
addresrafHMnc
.\-I(J~w~/' CanJda \ta\"age Theraplst"~ As.s.oc~
of Bn"," Columhla. I99(J
3 The Budy,,-ork Knov,ledgeBase IS an abstDCll:d
collectIon of the \I,ourld IlterafUre on ma!\ou,.:
complied h\ Rlch.lrd \'an Wh,. avaIlable from lI>e
Amt:n M,lISaee Phliadelphla \I. B
S.lun,le" Compan' [4~" Repnnt 3d ed 1981.
h Bafj\l~ W Tnt' Alr'tandt'"r Technlqut' ~C' ...
Yor' A[.red A Knopt. 19'.1 _
.. Jonc:,. F P "Hod ... ,A\\arene\' In Action. I.
~1urpn... \1 Tftt' fUfl~rf' 01 flit' Boer
and ConditIOn of Amalgam Fillings." Institution of
Occupational and SOCIal \led"IOe. Cnlverst!}
Erlangen. ;-';umberg. West Germany. \larch 12.
1984
I [ "Dental Amal.am A SCIentific ReVIew and
Recommended Public Health Ser.lCe Strategy for
Research. EducatIOn and Regulation." Final Repon
of the SubcommIttee on RISk \lana.ement of the
Committee 10 Coordinate EnVironmental Health
and Related Pro.rams Public Health ServIce. (Jan.
1993, -
[2 "Soualvt\fel,en 1Sv,edlSh SOCIal Welfare and
Health Admln"tratlOn, Stops Amalgam Lse"
S"n,kuDaKbluiletl\lay.I9R71 p.1
I ~ Agenc:- for TO'(lc Sub,rances and Dl~ease
Re21s1r. 1993 Dl\I~IOn of TO.'(I\.:olog\ Chan
1~"Ta'[or. J Tne Compltle GlllJe IV Jlercurv
TO.([("lr, from DenIul Ftl1mxs, San DIego. Scnpps
Pu~["hlnc. 1988
15 Z,ff 5 "Con,olldated S,mptom Analyvl\ of
1569 Pallent\ .. BUJ·Prubt I\eh I/erter Y no 2 l \olar.
19'1.1, 7·K
16 Hugglnv. H A It, All In rour Htad ~th ed
Col"rado Springs. CO LIte SCience Pre". 199(1.
I(n
I' Hahn. L J. e' al "Denta; 'StI'er' Tooth Ftll·
Ing\ A Sourcl:' of \1ercur> E.'(po'urc Re\-eaJed b~
Vtho!c·B(}(h ImJ,£e 5(an anJ Tissue Anahsl,)"
Fuuf, Joum~l .1, 19~QI ~l'>-l1·2(,..+6 ,
Hahn. L J et al "\l.hole·Bod~ ImagIng of the
Dl"drlhutlon (If \lercur\- Relea,ed from D~ntal
Fllllng\ Into \tonke:- TI\\ue\ .. FQ5eh Journal ..l
,194()l J:~6·~2N'
IH \' ,m' \1 J Ta'ahavhl Y and Lo"chelder. F
L "\lJfern.il·rclJ.i DI\lrlbullnn of \1ercun
Relt:a\ed lrom Oenta! Ama!~..lm Fdllnc\
"'.mt'f'I( un Pin ~/I,i/l~lt 1.1.1 SOt It'f'\ 25;'(n,'I(J~\ T,1(Ju\ Iq~(1 2lFeb. 14X)1 5~-~Q
- l nn.lf' Inlt-'ntlnence GUideline:' Pane! ,oL nnar.
Ir.~ ,In:lnen.:e In Adull\ Cllnli.:al Pra.:tll.:e
(julJeltne AHCPR Pub '0 92~J.1K R,,